But he won't be playing.

The (other) AP caught up with Peyton Manning this week and he said he's still hopeful he can play this year. He won't be in a helmet this weekend on the field but he will be on the sidelines.

Manning says he is getting X-rays every four weeks on his neck and his recovery has progressed to the point that doctors will allow him to stand on the sideline, which is where he plans to watch Sunday's game against Kansas City (1-3).

This isn't exactly the "breaking" news the (other) AP said it was but it's a change from what Manning has been doing sitting up in the coaches' booth.

Will it make a difference? Maybe a little, but I can't imagine it changes whatever the outcome of the game will be.